The Sri Lanka cricket team on Tuesday (January 9) announced the 16-member strong squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will captain the team and Charith Asalanka will deputize for him.

Veteran Angelo Matthews has returned to the team after a gap of almost two years. He last played for the team in the match against the West Indies in 2021. Apart from him, Akila Dananjaya was also called up to the team after a gap of two years, having last played against South Africa in 2021.

Sri Lanka will host Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series. The first game will be played. January 14 followed by the second game scheduled to be played January 16. Attention will then focus on the last match, which will be played January 18. All three matches will be played at the same venue at RPICS, Colombo.

Pathum Nissanka has also been recruited into the team. But his availability will be subject to fitness. The batsman was suffering from dengue and was ruled out of the ODI series against Zimbabwe. The management would hope that he recovers soon and takes the field.

Dhananjaya de Silva, Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are the team’s all-rounders while Kusal Mendis, Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Perera are the team’s desired batsmen. Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Untilhara, Matheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera are the pacers who made it to the team.

The Sri Lankan spin-off department will be the key for them. Captain Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dananjaya will take charge of the ball. The series will mark the beginning of a new test in Sri Lanka Cricket.

The series will be crucial for them in the context of the ICC T20 World 2024 and they would also hope to get their combination right. It will be a great opportunity for them to identify players they want to bring to the United States and the Caribbean for the World Cup.

The last few months have been difficult for Sri Lanka Cricket. Whether it’s performance or external issues, it hasn’t been very good for them. However, they would hope to rejuvenate themselves, get back on track and become a strong contender to win the T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka had good performances in the ODIs against Zimbabwe. The first game was washed out by rain but they had a great outing with the bat. In the second game, they defeated the rival by 2 wickets and took a 1-0 lead in the series.

They would hope to continue the momentum from the T20I series and would want to start their preparations for the T20 World Cup on a high note.

SL vs ZIM: Sri Lanka announce 16-member strong squad for Zimbabwe T20Is

Here is the Sri Lanka T20I squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series:

Wanindu Hasaranga – CaptainCharith Asalanka – Vice-CaptainKusal MendisSadeera SamarawickramaKusal PereraAngelo MathewsDasun ShanakaDhananjaya de SilvaKamindu MendisPathum Nissanka – subject to fitness Maheesh TheekshanaDushmantha ChameeraDilshan MadushankaMatheesha PathiranaNuwan UntilharaAkila Dananjaya